Connecticut lawsuit filed over iPhone camera arrest

Associated Press

New Haven (AP) — A Wallingford man who was arrested three years ago for filming police as they broke up a fight in New Haven has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the city.

Luis Luna, who filed the lawsuit on Wednesday, was arrested on Sept. 25, 2010.

An internal report says Assistant Chief Ariel Melendez ordered Luna arrested, took his phone and ordered that the video Luna recorded be deleted.

The report concluded that Melendez engaged in conducted unbecoming an officer and that an officer must say why someone is being arrested if they are recording police activity. Melendez retired in 2011.

Luna is seeking $500,000 and compensatory and punitive damages.

Victor Bolden, corporation counsel for New Haven, said the city will respond after reviewing the lawsuit.